foulballstrike3 wrote:I think that the term, "superstar", is being used very loosely. While I think that many of the guys listed here definitely have the potential to be very good....let's not start labeling them "superstars". The original topic was someone that would take the next step, like Holliday. Holliday was a 2nd or 3rd rounder last year that was bumped to a 1st rounder this year. Hanley Ramirez was another.

So, that would be someone that was great last year but even moreso this year....maybe if you think a Granderson improves, which I do not. However, you get my point, I hope.

I'll have to look it up, but I don't recall Holliday being taken that early last season. I could be wrong, though.

foulballstrike3 wrote:I think that the term, "superstar", is being used very loosely. While I think that many of the guys listed here definitely have the potential to be very good....let's not start labeling them "superstars". The original topic was someone that would take the next step, like Holliday. Holliday was a 2nd or 3rd rounder last year that was bumped to a 1st rounder this year. Hanley Ramirez was another.

So, that would be someone that was great last year but even moreso this year....maybe if you think a Granderson improves, which I do not. However, you get my point, I hope.

He was a 3rd rounder last season.

Well, here are the guys who are third rounders this year (according to MDC).

Martin is a catcher, so I find it unlikely he will jump up to the first round. I really don't think Morneau has the ability to hit for a high enough average (his BABIP in 2006 was way out of line with his career numbers). Granderson strikes out way too much to sustain a 300 average (about a 3:1 K:BB ratio). That leaves Rios, who does everything well, but nothing great. I guess it's possible that his power spikes and he becomes a 30 HR 20 SB guess, which would probably propel him to early round 2. If you would force me to bet on it, I would chose Rios. But I am not huge on any of those guys from the third round this year.

foulballstrike3 wrote:I think that the term, "superstar", is being used very loosely. While I think that many of the guys listed here definitely have the potential to be very good....let's not start labeling them "superstars". The original topic was someone that would take the next step, like Holliday. Holliday was a 2nd or 3rd rounder last year that was bumped to a 1st rounder this year. Hanley Ramirez was another.

So, that would be someone that was great last year but even moreso this year....maybe if you think a Granderson improves, which I do not. However, you get my point, I hope.

I'll have to look it up, but I don't recall Holliday being taken that early last season. I could be wrong, though.

Holliday was a mid-to-late 2nd round pick and had gone as late as 3rd round from in the leagues I was in. Holliday was an early 2nd round pick in 12 Angry Men and that was as early as he had gone.

As far as a player that makes it to "superstar" level goes, I wouldn't be surprised to see Corey Hart being taken as a top 25-30 pick next year. Granderson, Rios, and Markakis could take the next step into being a 2nd round quality player in '09.

I think Matt Kemp has superstar potential, but at best, he's a guy who's likely to be drafted as high as 5th round next year. If Kemp could just look less flustered by offspeed pitches, he can go a long way into breaking out. Kemp makes excellent contact and can drive the balls for extra basehits well. If you want to slap a "next Ryan Braun" label on him, I honestly believe he has the best shot of coming close to it. However, the likes of Hermida and Butler can be had for cheaper and have the kind of all-world upside Kemp possesses.

As far as pitchers go, I really like Billingsley. He could be right at the level Justin Verlander is, but he needs to hone in on his command and not have those low to mid 90's fastballs hover on top of the plate for foulballs. If he can efficiently manage his pitch count, he might be a reliable #2 type ace.

I do think Loewen will jump into the top 150 players this year, while Fukudome will be top 50. But given that I have a better understand of what you are looking for, here are a few guys currently going in rounds 3-6 that I think we will be talking about as potential round 1 picks. As steve-o said, even with that expanded definition, it's a pretty thin list to start.

MarkakisAtkinsChris YoungPenceHartCano

To make that top 12 you really have to have 40+ HR+SB and 200+ R+RBI and an average of .280+ Each of these 6 could do that, but it's a stretch for all of them.

"I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to chase it."

GotowarMissAgnes wrote:I do think Loewen will jump into the top 150 players this year, while Fukudome will be top 50. But given that I have a better understand of what you are looking for, here are a few guys currently going in rounds 3-6 that I think we will be talking about as potential round 1 picks. As steve-o said, even with that expanded definition, it's a pretty thin list to start.

MarkakisAtkinsChris YoungPenceHartCano

To make that top 12 you really have to have 40+ HR+SB and 200+ R+RBI and an average of .280+ Each of these 6 could do that, but it's a stretch for all of them.

How would you rank those players though?I have them ranked like thisHartMarkakisCanoPenceChris B YoungAtkins

foulballstrike3 wrote:I think that the term, "superstar", is being used very loosely. While I think that many of the guys listed here definitely have the potential to be very good....let's not start labeling them "superstars". The original topic was someone that would take the next step, like Holliday. Holliday was a 2nd or 3rd rounder last year that was bumped to a 1st rounder this year. Hanley Ramirez was another.

So, that would be someone that was great last year but even moreso this year....maybe if you think a Granderson improves, which I do not. However, you get my point, I hope.

I'll have to look it up, but I don't recall Holliday being taken that early last season. I could be wrong, though.